The top of most homeowners’ wish lists is an ensuite bathroom. It’s a luxury feature that completes any primary bedroom. So, many of us are considering fitting one into our homes.
Of course, that often means trying to squeeze it into a compact space. To make it work, there are design and layout tricks you can use to create a stylish room that feels spacious rather than cramped. Here’s a few things to consider:
Keep it minimal
It’s likely you won’t be able to fit in a full bathroom suite. And if you can, it may be too cramped to be useful. So, ditch the bath for a shower and go for a smaller sink. A hand-rinse basin that can be wall-mounted without a vanity unit will save you loads of space. And by using a flush-fitting shower tray and a clear glass door, you can help create the feeling of extra space.
Avoid adding any extra clutter that you don’t really need. A simple metal rack mounted high on the wall, should give you enough storage space for essentials. Everything else can be kept in the main bathroom. Cabinets and cupboards simply take up too much floor space, so keep it minimal.
Make it practical
If you’re stealing space from your bedroom to build an ensuite, then it may not have a window. So, lighting and ventilation are very important to make it function properly.
You’ll need a good, high-powered fan to keep your bathroom from becoming damp and moldy. Unless you’re an expert, comparing bathroom extractor fans isn’t easy. But there are a few things to look out for. Low noise motors and automatic functions are handy. And a high extraction rate is essential. Plus, one that’s simple to install and clean will make things easier. Some high-end models also have built-in LED lights, which could be a good space saver too.
You’ll probably need to install some heating in your ensuite. But if you want to save space and increase your comfort, then underfloor heating is the way to go. It adds a bit of luxury to small spaces and reduces wall clutter, giving you a clean-lined look.
Use clever design tricks
What other interior design tricks will help you fit your ensuite into a compact space? Well, the space needed for your door opening can be a massive headache. This means you need to look for alternative solutions to traditional doors. Pocket doors are brilliant space savers. They slide across rather than open out, and they’re called pocket doors because they sit in a pocket in the wall when they’re opened. And if you want to make the door easier to fit, you could try a barn-style sliding door or a bi-folding door instead.
Once you’ve saved as much space as you possibly can, then it’s time to use other tricks to make your ensuite appear bigger than it really is. Using mirrors to increase the feeling of space is an old trick, but it really works. And let’s face it, all bathrooms need a mirror anyway. The next tip is to choose light, bright colors. You don’t need to stick to white though. You could choose two complementary neutral, off-white shades to create décor that’s nice and contemporary.
